Ateneo's Apacible suspended for rest of UAAP second round

MANILA, Philippines –  Ateneo forward John Apacible has been suspended for the rest of the UAAP Season 78 second round following his involvement in a drunk driving incident early Sunday morning that has since gone viral around social media.

Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo confirmed that Apacible will not play in the Blue Eagles' remaining games in the second round of the tournament.



A video posted by Top Gear Philippines on Sunday evening showed a visibly drunk Apacible bragging about a "councilor" vanity plate while cursing and shouting along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

Ateneo's University Athletics Office on Monday evening called Apacible's behavior "reprehensible" and "unacceptable," and said both the team and the school will deal with the incident.

Quimpo, in a message to Ateneo's The Guidon on Monday evening, also said that Apacible will not be allowed to practice with the team as he is set to face "disciplinary actions."

According to Quimpo, Apacible has apologized to the whole Ateneo team, including the coaching staff and management, and the rest of the Blue Eagles "will be supporting him through this trying time."

The incident drew the ire of many on social media, with netizens believing that Apacible should face greater punishment for his actions.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ateneo player linked to drunk driving incident

MANILA, Philippines -- The Ateneo de Manila University on Monday vowed to take action after a member of the Blue Eagles was linked to a drunk driving incident that occurred early Sunday morning.

Reserve forward John Apacible was identified as the "very drunk driver" whose car bore a "councilor" vanity plate and caused a commotion along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

A video of the incident was posted by Top Gear Philippines.



In its website, Top Gear later cited a source who claimed that the driver was a player of a UAAP basketball team.

Ateneo's University Athletics Office confirmed on Monday evening that it was indeed Apacible who was caught in the video.

"It has come to our attention that John Apacible, a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, behaved in an unacceptable manner during an early Sunday morning encounter," Ateneo athletics director Emmanuel Fernandez said in a memo.

"John deeply regrets his reprehensible behavior and sincerely apologizes to all parties concerned," he added.

Fernandez said that the Blue Eagles' team management as well as the Loyola Schools "will deal with this regrettable incident appropriately and swiftly."

Apacible is averaging 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in seven minutes of playing time per game for Ateneo in Season 78.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com